A choice man -
Literally "the chosen" with "man"
added by the translators.

MacArthur comments on "choice" writing that

Eklektos (choice)
has the literal meaning of chosen, or elected. Paul could hardly be speaking
about his being chosen for salvation, since, as made clear earlier in the
epistle, every believer is “predestined to become conformed to the image of
His Son” (Ro 8:29-note).
In that sense, every Christian is equally chosen “in [Christ] before the
foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4-note). The idea here,
as the New American Standard Bible rendering indicates, is that Rufus was
choice in the general sense in which that word is used today. He was an
extraordinary Christian, known for his love and work for the Lord and for
the Lord’s people. (MacArthur,
J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody PressorLogos)

The greeting to his mother and
mine does not mean Rufus was Paul’s natural brother but that Rufus’s mother,
somewhere and in some way during Paul’s travels and ministry, had cared for
the apostle as if he were her own son. Interesting!

><>><>><>

A Mother's Touch - A Christian
who helps to place orphans in homes tells about a little Russian boy named
Ivan. He's a lovable child with a shock of brown hair falling over his
face. When he learned that he might be able to leave the orphanage, he
said, "Please, will you find me a mother?"

Fathers are important too, but there are times when nothing but a mother's
touch will do. Even grown men need it.

The apostle Paul, probably in his fifties, sent special greetings to a
fellow believer in Rome named Rufus. Interestingly, he added greetings to
"his mother and mine" (Romans 16:13). Why would he refer to her in this
way?

During his years of ministry, Paul faced many hardships (2Co 6:4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10). Could it be that Rufus had brought a weary and tired apostle to
his house, where Paul received from the mother of Rufus comforting words,
a fresh garment, and a nourishing meal? Did Paul receive from her the
empathy and tenderness that only a mother can give? We don't know this for
sure, but it could explain his unusual greeting in today's text.

The brethren with them - This grouping and the phraseology
suggest this may have been a "congregation" or a house church. Note
the specific
individual affirmation which is almost identical to the pattern
(Ro 16:15). Saved sinners immortalized in holy writ forever! It reminds me
of Isaiah's great affirmation that we are all written down forever,
God Himself affirming...

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms
of My hands... (Isa 49:16) (Comment: In context God is referring to
Zion, but I think the application can be justifiably made to all saints, for
the scars in His hands will forever mark the immutability of His covenant of
grace with each of us individually, cp John's vision of Jesus in Heaven = Re 5:6-note,
Re 5:9-note)

This as well as other
"groupings" of names may represent those who belonged to a small church in a
home.

Philologus - His name means fond of words or a lover of words.
He either loved
the "Word" of God or he talked too much! Or perhaps he was a good
inductive Bible study student who loved "word studies"! Won't
heaven be a fascinating place, where we see these minor "mysteries" come
to light!

AND ALL THE SAINTS WHO
ARE WITH THEM: kai tous sun autois pantas hagious:

All the Saints - not the name of
a church.

And all the saints - Not
that the aforementioned (Philologus, et al) are not also saints in Christ,
for they are indeed set apart, as is every believer who is safe in the
"Ark" of Jesus Christ. There is no such category known as "super saints".
We are all equal in Christ (Gal 3:28). The foot of the Cross is a "level
playing field" where all the saints meet to bow down and worship and
derive the power for their supernatural life (1Co 1:18, cp Gal 6:14-note,
2Co 12:9-note)

Saints (40)
(hagios
[word study]
= set apart ones, separated ones, sanctified ones) is
literally holy ones and in this context refers to individuals who
have been set apart by God's Spirit (1Pe 1:2-note)
(sanctified by faith) from the filth and corruption of this world and unto
a holy, holy, holy God for His use! In the New Testament
every believer has a "special purpose" and this truth includes you dear
reader (cp Ep 2:10-note, Mt 5:16-note,
cp 1Pe 4:10, 11-note), so do not let this brief wisp of time called "life" pass you by
like a vapor without accomplishing the task God has graciously given you
to complete (cp 2Ti 4:5-note,
Col 4:17-note,
cp 3Jn 1:4, 2Jn 1:8)! As a saint, you are "safe" eternally, for all
God's saints are holy ones
positionally for they are securely placed in Christ forever (Jn 10:28,
29), but this position brings a responsibility, and calls for each
of us to be experientially set apart in character (in our
heart, our motives, the way we think, etc) and conduct (what we
speak, what we watch, where we go, etc). As saints we are no longer our
own for we have been bought with the price of Christ's precious blood (1Pe
1:18, 19-note,
Titus 2:14-note)
we have been set apart by God to be exclusively His (1Co 6:19-note, 1Co 6:20-note), to be dedicated
solely to Him (Ro 12:1-note)
and to consequently to manifest holiness of heart and conduct (Ep 4:1-note,
1Th 2:12-note) in contrast to the
unholiness and rank impurity
that characterizes the best of pagan unbelievers. In short, saints are set aside for sacred use. Dear saint _________ (insert your
name beloved of God) are you living like who you are positionally before
God in Christ?

Greek:
Aspasasthe(AAM)allelousenphilematiagio.Aspazontai(3PPMI)humasaiekklesiaipasaitouChristou.Amplified: Greet
one another with a holy (consecrated) kiss. All the churches of Christ
(the Messiah) wish to be remembered to you. (Amplified
Bible - Lockman)BBE: Give one another a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ
send their love to you. CEV: Be sure to give each other a warm greeting. All of
Christ's churches greet you. (CEV)GWT: Greet each other with a holy kiss. All the churches of
Christ greet you. (GWT)KJV:Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches
of Christ salute you. NET: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of
Christ greet you.
(NET
Bible)Phillips: Give each other a hearty handshake all round for my
sake. The greetings of all the churches I am in touch with come to you
with this letter. (Phillips:
Touchstone)TLB: Shake hands warmly with each other. All the churches here
send you their greetings. Weymouth: Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the Churches
of Christ send greetings to you. Young's Literal: salute one another in a holy kiss; the
assemblies of Christ do salute you.
advises them to avoid those who cause dissension and offenses

The holy
kisswas an
oriental form of friendly greeting, which was adapted by the early church to
indicate Christian love, with men so greeting the men, and women the women.
Robertson says, “The near-east mode of salutation as hand-shaking in the
western.” The kiss was to be “holy,”
hagios, i.e., free from everything unworthy of their calling as saints
(hagioi). Moreover there was to be freedom from prejudice arising from
social distinctions, and from partiality toward those who were well-to-do.
In the assembly, masters and servants would thus salute one another with
freedom from an attitude of condescension on the one part, and from
disrespect on the other.

Stedman writes:

Having just come from Mexico, I was struck by the
difference in the way people greet one another there. You don't just shake
hands, you embrace. This is a carry-over from the custom that Paul refers to
here, of "greeting one another with a holy kiss," and, among the Christians
of Mexico, this is very common. When two greet each other, they have an abrazo
(embrace), and sometimes I think we have gotten too far away from this
kind of greeting. It was such a wonderful expression of true Christian
love.

MacArthur
writes:

"Paul ends this section with the admonition, Greet one
another with a
holy kiss.
The practice of embracing and kissing friends on the forehead or cheek was
common in Old Testament times. Men would sometimes be kissed on the beard.
Such kisses were in no way romantic, much less erotic, and kissing on the
mouth was rare, except for married couples. Kissing was common among
relatives and close friends, especially when they first came together after
a long separation and when they departed, as is common today. To kiss a
person of high position was a sign of honor and respect. The New Testament
church, at first composed primarily of Jews, carried on the traditional
practice of kissing among relatives and close friends. Because many new
believers were made outcasts by their biological families, the spiritual
kinship of Christians became all the dearer and was frequently manifested by
what came to be called a holy kiss. Paul admonished believers in Rome to
maintain the practice when they would greet one another. He gave the same
admonition at the end of both of his letters to the church at Corinth (1Co
16:20; 2Co 13:12) and in his first letter to believers in Thessalonica (1Th
5:26-note). Peter
had in mind the same idea of demonstrating spiritual kinship when he said,
“Greet one another with a kiss of love” (1Peter 5:14-note). After
Paul exhorted the elders from Ephesus who came out to meet him at Miletus as
he was traveling to Jerusalem, “he knelt down and prayed with them all. And
they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,
grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see
his face no more” (Acts 20:36, 37,
38)....The
practice of the holy kiss, or kiss of love, continued for many years in the
early church. It probably came to an end by being corrupted by sensuous
perversion. Some centuries later, it was somewhat revived in the form of a
liturgical kiss, which was purely formal and ritualistic, not personal or
spiritual.
In our own day, there is also danger of certain physical signs of affection
being misunderstood and abused. Those dangers have always existed and will
continue to exist until the Lord returns. But, if practiced with sensible
discretion, a loving embrace and a truly
holy kiss
that reflect genuine, heartfelt love between Christians should not be
jettisoned simply because of possible misunderstanding or misuse."
(MacArthur,
J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody PressorLogos)

Newell adds:

The simplicity and warmth of early Christian devotion cannot
be brushed aside as an "Orientalism" by the colder hearts and more formal
and "reserved" manners of our day. "Behold, how these Christians love one
another!" was the constant remark in the early days. The word beloved is
used four times by Paul in these few verses....Would it not be wonderful in
our eyes to come upon some community today where the saints were all one!
loving one another and thus fulfilling our Lord’s great prayer in (John
17:21, 22)? Surely the world
has much to stumble at in our divisions and lack of tenderness one toward
another." (Romans 16)

Bishop Moule
gives us some "food for thought" observing that

This page is no mere relic of the past; it is a list of friendships
to be made hereafter, and to be possessed forever in the endless life
where personality indeed shall be eternal, but where also the union of
personalities in Christ shall be beyond our utmost present thought."
(Read his well done commentary online - The Epistle of Paul
the Apostle to the Romans
)

Greek: Parakalo(1SPAI)dehumas,adelphoi,skopein(PAN)toustasdichostasiaskaitaskandalaparatendidachenenhumeisemathete(2PAAI)poiountas,(PAPMPA)kaiekklinete(2PPAM)ap'autonAmplified: I appeal
to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create
dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the
doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to
turn aside from them, to] avoid them. (Amplified
Bible - Lockman)BBE: Now, it is my desire, brothers, that you will take note of
those who are causing division and trouble among you, quite against
the teaching which was given to you: and keep away from them. CEV: My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes
trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were
taught. Stay away from them! (CEV)GWT: Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those
people who create divisions and who make others fall away {from the
Christian faith} by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have
learned. Stay away from them. (GWT)KJV:Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them.
NET: Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those
who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you
learned. Avoid them! (NET
Bible)Phillips: And now I implore you, my brother, to keep a watchful
eye on those who cause trouble and make difficulties among you, in
plain opposition to the teaching you have been given, and steer clear
of them. (Phillips:
Touchstone)TLB: And now there is one more thing to say before I end this
letter. Stay away from those who cause divisions and are upsetting
people's faith, teaching things about Christ that are contrary to what
you have been taught. Weymouth: But I beseech you, brethren, to keep a watch on those
who are causing the divisions among you, and are leading others into
sin, in defiance of the instruction which you have received; and
habitually to shun them. Young's Literal: And I call upon you, brethren, to mark those
who the divisions and the stumbling-blocks, contrary to the teaching
that ye did learn, are causing, and turn ye away from them;

NOW I URGE YOU BRETHREN:
Parakalo (1SPAI)
de humas, adelphoi:

Urge (3870)
(parakaleo
[word study]from para = side of + kaléo
= call) conveys the basic idea of calling one alongside to help or give
aid. Because a person can be called alongside for many purposes, the word
has a wide range of meanings. They include to entreat, appeal to, summon,
comfort, exhort, or encourage. Later parakaleo came to mean exhorting,
admonishing, encouraging, call to one’s side, call to one’s aid.

Paul's idea is something like "I beg of you, please"

It has
been suggested that those of whom he is now speaking promulgated the errors
of Antinomianism,
with which he had dealt in chapter six, or belonged to the party referred to
in chapter fourteen. Possibly the opposition was that arising from Judaistic
teachings, with which Paul and his fellow-laborers were continually
confronted.

Keep your eye (4648)
(skopeo
[word study]from skopos
= distant mark looked at, goal or end in view as in Philippians 3:14 [note])
means keep your eye on and carries the idea of looking at or observing with
intensity. It is from the noun form of that word that we get the scope in
telescope and microscope.Skopeo
means more than simply to look at, but to examine and scrutinize carefully.
It implies mental consideration and so to contemplate. It means to look
into, examine, inspect, continue to regard closely or to keep one's
attention on.

Skopeo is in the present tense
which calls for this to be a continual activity, implying the danger of
spiritual intruders is ever present. In short, Paul is saying
continually your eye on those "who cause dissensions and hindrances".
Keep "scoping" them out!

John MacArthur clarifies that...

Paul is not talking about what today is
often referred to as a “﻿witch hunt,﻿” an effort that is determined to find
fault whether it is there or not. Nor is he talking about legalistic and
often mean-spirited and unloving “﻿litmus tests﻿” for an orthodoxy that is
more rigid than Scripture."...Although it is helpful for Christians,
especially preachers and teachers, to have some knowledge of what liberal
Christianity and so-called Christian cults teach, it is spiritually unwise
and dangerous to be overly exposed to their falsehoods, whether through
reading their literature or becoming involved in their churches, colleges,
seminaries, or other institutions. By doing such things, many ill-prepared
but self-confident believers have had their faith as well as their doctrine
seriously subverted, as they are “﻿carried about by every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming﻿” (﻿Ep 4:14-note﻿). Many seminarians, who typically are more familiar with
Scripture than most other Christians of their age, have become so engulfed
in dialogue with theological error that their effective ministry is all but
forfeited. They do not, of course, lose their salvation, but they can easily
have their usefulness to the Lord severely weakened and sometimes
destroyed." (MacArthur,
J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody PressorLogos)

Although Paul did say we were
not to put a stumbling block in a brother's way (Ro 14:13-note) which is Greek
skandalon, the same word translated "hindrances" in this verse, Paul is not
referring to believers who had differences of opinion over non essentials.
In every church, there are those who outwardly, and perhaps in many other
ways, appear to be Christians, but are not. They are counterfeit saints.
Wherever you find the true, you always find the counterfeit.

The Greek here is literally "dissension and scandal".
Both words have the definite Greek article, indicating specific dissenters
and scandal producers, indicating therefore that both these groups were
well-known to the Roman saints.

Hindrances (4625)
(skandalon
[word study]
from a root meaning jump up, snap shut) was originally the piece of wood
that kept open a trap for animals. Outside the Bible it is not used
metaphorically, though its derivative skandalethron (e.g. a trap set through
questions) is so used. The English word scandal is derived from the
noun via the Lat. scandalum.

Thus skandalonwas literally, that
movable part of a trap on which the bait was laid, and when touched caused
the trap to close on its prey. Skandalon thus came to mean any
entanglement of the foot. Figuratively, as used most often in Scripture,
skandalonrefers to any person or
thing by which one is drawn into error or sin.

n
the NT skandalon is always used metaphorically, and ordinarily of
anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or
causes them to fall by the way. Sometimes the hindrance is in itself
good, and those stumbled by it are the wicked. Paul clearly uses
skandalon in the good sense here in Romans 9:33. He also records that
rejection of the Messiah was especially true with respect to His
Cross...

Skandalon
can describe that which causes someone to sin or that which produces
certain behavior which can lead to ruin. Skandalon thus denotes
an enticement to conduct which could ruin the person in question. For
example, Balaam’s device was a trap for Israel, John recording Jesus'
words...

'But I have a few things against you,
because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept
teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to
eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit acts of immorality. (see
note Revelation 2:14)

Regarding skandalon, Vine writes
that it was

originally the name of the part of a
trap to which the bait is attached, hence, the trap or snare itself, as in
[Romans 11:9-note],
‘stumbling block,’ quoted from [Ps 69:22
- see Spurgeon's note],
and in [Revelation 2:14-note],
for Balaam’s device which proved to be a trap for Israel rather than a
stumbling block to them...In NT skandalon is always used metaphorically, and
ordinarily of anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to
others or causes them to fall by the way. Sometimes the hindrance is in
itself good, and those stumbled by it are the wicked. Thus it is used (a) of
Christ in [Romans 9:33-note] “(a rock) of offense” [cf
1Cor 1:23'; see 1 Peter 2:8-note] and
of His cross [Gal 5:11] of the “table” provided by God for Israel [Romans
11:9-note]
(b) of that which is evil, eg, [Mt
13:41] lit., “all stumblingblocks”; [Mt
18:7] “occasions of stumbling” and
“occasion”; [see Romans 14:13-note]
“an occasion of falling” of such use of Christian liberty that proves a
hindrance to another; [see Romans 16:17-note]
“occasions of stumbling,” of the teaching of things contrary to sound
doctrine. (Vine,
W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.
1996. Nelson)

Contrary (3844)
(para
= beside) literally describes dissenters and scandal producers alongside or
near! This picture of close proximity parallels the use of the prefix "para"
describing counterfeits in Colossians and second Peter.

Paul warning the saints at Colossae
writes...

"I say this (i.e., in Christ 'are
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge') in order that no one may
delude you with persuasive argument." (see notes Col 2:3-note;
Col 2:4-note) The verb "delude"paralogizomai (word study)(para
=alongside + logizomai = reason beside something) means they
come an "reason beside". Therefore, if the target is the truth, there is
something alongside it that looks very much like the truth, and one begins
to focus upon that, rather than the truth (Christ). Truth and error may be
made to look almost the same, but one is a counterfeit. Marvin Vincent adds
that paralogizomai means "to conclude by reasoning. The deception referred
to is therefore, that into which one betrays himself by false reasoning—
reasoning beside the truth")

In a similar vein, Peter warns the
believers that...

"false prophets also arose among the
people (referring to the OT times), just as there will also be false
teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies,
even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon
themselves." (see note
2 Peter 2:1)

Comment: Secretly introduce is pareisago (pará
- unto or at the side of + eiságo = bring in, introduce) literally depicts
bringing in by the side of and so introducing surreptitiously. These
false teachers will present a clever, even catchy attractive message in
which they will secretly introduce error alongside of the truth. Thus it is
possible that 90+% of their message is orthodox but there only needs to be a
small percent of "poison" brought in "alongside of" or "contrary to" the
truth in order to bring about destruction of souls.

These "counterfeits" can be
detected because first of all, they are busy creating dissension and scandal
contrary to sound (healthy) doctrine (cf 1Ti 4:6,
see 2Timothy 4:3-note,
Titus 1:9-note;
Titus 2:1-note)
by preaching and teaching things that are different from what the "standard
of sound doctrine" (see note 2 Timothy 1:13-note). This is the mark of a counterfeit believer or a false teacher. Not only are they
marked by "what they say" but how they say it ("smooth and
flattering speech" in the next verse). These men are good...they do not come and speak roughly or so boldly
as to disturb people. They "creep in unnoticed" (pareisduno
from the prefix "para"
= at the side of + eisduo = enter in or sink in) as in (Jude
1:4) speaking sweetly and ostensibly such
lovely people. They seemed to have such a desire to advance the knowledge
and the welfare of believers; but there was always something wrong about
what and how they said. Another "give away" was that they served their own
appetites.

Stedman writes...

"What did Paul say to do about them? Excommunicate them?
Burn them at the stake? No, just avoid them. Don't listen to them. Don't pay
any attention to them. Don't give them an audience. Don't let them take your
time with their false ideas. I think this applies well to those zealous
cultists who come around so frequently to our doors with books under their
arms that claim to be explanations of the Scriptures, but which are so
contrary to it in teaching and
doctrine.
They usually require that you join some organization, or take your counsel
from some inspired teacher or center somewhere else. Paul says avoid them --
that is all....Remember, when the disciples came to Jesus very disturbed
because they had found somebody who was preaching in his name and didn't
belong to their group, they asked, "What shall we do with him? Shall we call
down fire on his head?" Jesus said to them, "Every plant that my Father
has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone," {cf. Matt 15:12, 13, 14}.
Don't worry, God will take care of them. Be concerned with the positive
affirmation of that which is true. Give yourself to that which is good in
the Scriptures, and never mind these others. God will take care of them. (See full sermon The Former Day Saints)

There is a very important phrase in this
verse "the teaching which you have learned"

Teaching (1322)
(didache
[word study]) (see study of related word
didaskalia) in the active sense refers to the act of teaching,
instructing or tutoring and in the passive sense to teaching which is given.
In didache, we have incorporated the idea of the authority of
that which is taught.

Learned (3129)
(manthano
[word study]) describes intentional learning by inquiry and
observation. Manthano is most recognizable in its noun form, mathetes
("disciple"). The idea of manthano is to genuinely understand and accept a
teaching accept it as true and to apply it in one’s life. The Greek word
mathetes - "disciple" - is derived from the verb manthano. Thus,
a disciple is a pupil or learner. In Greek culture prior to Socrates,
manthano described the process by which a person sought theoretical
knowledge.

A mathetes was one who attached himself to another
to gain some practical or theoretical knowledge, whether by instruction or
by experience. The word came to be used both of apprentices who were
learning a trade and of adherents of various philosophical schools. After
the time of Socrates, the word lost favor with the philosophers, who were
not at all happy with its association with labor.

The value of sound teaching that
is learned is crucial so that the disciple might be equipped to
recognize and then to refute subtle errors. Paul exhorted his young protégé
Timothy in his last written words to

Retain the standard
(present
imperative= continually hold on to this "healthy"
teaching) of sound
words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus." (see note 2 Timothy 1:13)

Later in this same letter, Paul warned
Timothy there would be

evil men
and impostors (who) will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and
being deceived (see note2 Timothy 3:13)

In light of the imminent, certain
appearance of these evil men, Paul exhorted Timothy...

You, however (in
contrast to the deceivers), continue(present
imperative =
continually) in the things you have learned
and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them."
(see note2 Timothy 3:14)

AND TURN AWAY FROM THEM:
kai ekklinete (2PPAM)
ap auton:

As Phillip's has it "steer clear
of them." Reject what they teach and to protect fellow believers, especially
new converts and the immature, from being deceived, confused, and misled.

Turn away
(1578)
(ekklino
[word study]
from ek =
from or out of + klíno
= incline, bend, turn aside or away) means tolean in the
wrong direction conveying the idea that one is to to keep away from, to limit or
to avoid association with these men. Shun them. Avoid them. Have nothing to
do with them. Note again we have the present tense and the imperative
mood which calls for continual obedience to this command - make this
your continual practice to shun these men.

Ekklinowas used
to describe a soldier’s running the wrong way or deserting. Another
secular use describes staying clear of prickly shrubs. Hippocrates used
this word to describe a dislocation.

From - this is the preposition
apo which speaks of separation and thus conveys the idea of "put some
distance between you and these men"!

William Newell warns that

Satan has deceived some good preachers into "personally
investigating evil people and conditions, " in order to "preach against
them"; but God says "The things that are done of them in secret, it is a
shame even to speak of." Preach the Word (2Ti 4:1; 4:2; 4:3; 4:4-see
notes2Ti 4:1;
4:2;
4:3;
4:4);
therein will be found abundant discoveries of evil and denunciations
thereof; but, being the Word of God, it is holy, and may safely be used
in exposing evil. It is like the sunshine that lights up the foulest
alley without being itself defiled! Don’t go down the alley "personally,
" lifting the lids of their garbage-cans; or you will smell of it!(Romans 16)

MacArthur
amplifies Paul's warning:

"Although it is helpful for Christians,
especially preachers and teachers, to have some knowledge of what liberal
Christianity and so-called Christian cults teach, it is spiritually unwise
and dangerous to be overly exposed to their falsehoods, whether through
reading their literature or becoming involved in their churches, colleges,
seminaries, or other institutions. By doing such things, many ill-prepared
but self-confident believers have had their faith as well as their doctrine
seriously subverted, as they are “carried about by every wind of
doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming”
(Ephesians 4:14-note). Many seminarians, who typically
are more familiar with Scripture than most other Christians of their
age, have become so engulfed in dialogue with theological error that
their effective ministry is all but forfeited. They do not, of course,
lose their salvation, but they can easily have their usefulness to the
Lord severely weakened and sometimes destroyed." (MacArthur,
J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody PressorLogos)

William Newell
adds that...

"The inability to turn resolutely and holily away from false
teachers and evil workers, is a mark of spiritual ill-health, decadence, and
possibly of the state of spiritual death itself! Mad dogs are shot;
infectious diseases are quarantined; but evil teachers who would divide to
their destruction and draw away the saints with teaching contrary to the
doctrine of Christ and His Apostles are everywhere tolerated! How ghastly
and ruinous is this false toleration! Let us take heed lest we "partake in
the evil deeds" of such evil workers. (Romans 16)

The apostle
John warns us that...

"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching
of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has
both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a
greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil
deeds." (2John 1:9, 10, 11).

Matthew Henry
has some pithy comments:

"How earnest, how endearing are these
exhortations! Whatever differs from the sound doctrine
(Titus 1:9-note) of the Scriptures, opens a door to divisions and offences. If truth be
forsaken, unity and peace will not last long. Many CALL Christ, Master and
Lord, who are FAR FROM SERVING Him. But they serve their carnal, sensual,
worldly interests. (Titus 1:16-note) They corrupt the head by deceiving the heart (Mt
15:19); perverting the judgments by winding themselves into the affections. We have
great need to keep our hearts with all diligence (Pr
4:23-note). It has been the
common policy of seducers to set upon those who are soft in their
convictions. A pliable temper is good when under good guidance,
otherwise it may be easily led astray. Be so wise as not to be deceived,
yet so simple as not to be deceivers. The blessing the apostle expects
from God, is victory over Satan. This includes all designs and devices
of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his
attempts to keep us from the peace of heaven here, and the possession of
heaven hereafter. When Satan seems to prevail, and we are ready to give
up all as lost, then will the God of peace interpose in our behalf. Hold
out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while. If the grace of
Christ be with us, who can prevail against us?"

><>><>><>

How To Catch A Rat - My
grandson's chicken coop was invaded by rats. Attracted by the feed, they
had moved in. He asked for my help and we set out a couple of traps.
After a week, though, we had not caught a single one. Then a farmer
friend offered some advice. "No rat," he said, "will touch an exposed
trap. You must disguise it with food. Fill a pan with meal and place the
trap in it. Cover it well with meal so it is completely hidden." It
worked! The next morning we had a big fat rat.

All this reminded me that the devil knows this trick too. He carefully
disguises his trap with truth. Nowhere is it better seen than in the
numerous false cults and religions in the world today. All set their
traps of error in a pan of meal. Many quote the Bible and preach a
certain amount of gospel truth. They talk about prayer and Jesus and the
Bible. But under the layer of truth is the trap of error.

Greek: oigartoioutoitokurioemonChristooudouleuousin(5719)allateheautonkoilia,kaidiateschrestologiaskaieulogias
exapatosin taskardiastonakakon.Amplified: For such
persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites and base
desires, and by ingratiating and flattering speech, they beguile the
hearts of the unsuspecting and simpleminded [people]. (Amplified
Bible - Lockman)BBE: For such people are not servants of the Lord Christ, but
of their stomachs; and by their smooth and well-said words the hearts
of those who have no knowledge of evil are tricked. CEV: They want to serve themselves and not Christ the Lord.
Their flattery and fancy talk fool people who don't know any better.
(CEV)GWT: People like these are not serving Christ our Lord.
They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and
flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people. (GWT)KJV: For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple.
NET: 1 For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ,
but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they
deceive the minds of the naive. (NET
Bible)Phillips: Such men do not really serve our Lord Jesus
Christ at all but are utterly self-centred. Yet with their plausible
and attractive arguments they deceive those who are too simple-hearted
to see through them. (Phillips:
Touchstone)TLB: Such teachers are not working for our Lord Jesus but only
want gain for themselves. They are good speakers, and simple-minded
people are often fooled by them. Weymouth: For men of that stamp are not bondservants of Christ
our Lord, but are slaves to their own appetites; and by their
plausible words and their flattery they utterly deceive the minds of
the simple. Wuest: For they are such as are not rendering service as
bondslaves to our Lord Christ, but to their own stomachs; and with
smooth and plausible address, which simulates goodness, and with
polished eulogies, are leading astray the hearts of the innocent; (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: for such our Lord Jesus Christ do not
serve, but their own belly; and through the good word and fair speech
they deceive the hearts of the harmless,

For - Paul explains why the
radical (at least they seem radical in our day where we are more like
"Casper milk toast" and don't want to offend feelings! - elders please for
the sake of the purity of the Bride of Christ, please re-read Acts 20:26,
27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32) actions in the above verse are called for.

Paul gives two negative reasons
for turning away from false teachers. The first is that these men are
slaves of sin (See Sin= the power of sin, personified as a
cruel king or evil taskmaster - who would voluntarily want to go back under
such a cruel regime!) (Romans 6:16-note;
Romans 6:20note;
Romans 6:21-note)
with the lustful appetites of their depraved mindset in Adam (Romans 5:13-note).

Are slaves (1398)
(douleuo
from root noundoulos
[word study]= slave or one who is in bondage or bound to
another, in the state of being completely controlled by someone or
something) means to be in bondage or in the position of servant and to act
accordingly, dutifully obeying the master's commands.

The present tense
signifies this was the lifestyle (continually enslaved) of these men and
active voice
indicates that they made a willful choice to submit themselves to the
strong, corrupt desires that originate from our fallen (see discussion
of Sin)
nature inherited from Adam. In short, they might have masqueraded as
believers but here Paul is saying they clearly were depraved,
unregenerate men, still enslaved to their sinful lusts.

Every person born
in the flesh (physical flesh) becomes a slave to the rule and reign of
SIN, Paul instructing us that

just as through one man (Adam)
Sinentered into the
world and death through Sinand so death
spread to all men because all sinned" (Romans 5:12-note).

In other words all
men commit sins because all men have inherited the "Sin"
gene (the propensity to sin) from Adam, our first father. Our very
constitution "in Adam" is sinful and we have neither the desire nor the
power to do anything but continually (present
tense - as our
lifestyle) commit sins. We are sinners by nature (by birth). All men are
therefore both willingly and inevitably enslaved to sin in its many and
various forms. Therefore, although we as believers cannot help being
dismayed when we see evil flourishing, we should not be surprised (cf Ps
73:3ff
[Spurgeon's
note],
Hab 1:3), for apart from being born
again by the Spirit, by grace through faith in Christ, a person has no
alternative but to habitually commit sins.

Jesus
taught this same truth declaring

Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone
who (continually, habitually) commits sin is the slave (doulos)
of sin. (Jn 8:34)

They (the false teachers) promise
freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you
are a slave to whatever controls you.

In Romans 6
Paul asks a rhetorical question (a question for effect)..

Do you not know that when you
(continually) present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience (to
do his will), you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of
(the power of Sin)
resulting in death or of obedience resulting in righteousness (right
doing and right standing with God)? (see noteRomans 6:16)

Servitude in the
ancient world, whether voluntary or involuntary, was rigid and gave the
master an absolute right over his slave.

Clarke adds
that the unsaved like the men Paul is describing here in Romans
16 are...

in a state of continual thraldom
(enslavement); not served or gratified by our lusts and pleasures, but
living, as their slaves, a life of misery and wretchedness.

All (no
exceptions) unregenerate men and women are enslaved to Sinby
the "chains" of their passions and pleasures and are completely under
Sin'scontrol.

In Romans
3 Paul writes

that both Jews and Greeks are allunder (the power of) Sin.
(see note Romans 3:9)

Writing to the
Galatians Paul taught that

"the Scripture has shut up all men
under SIN" (Gal 3:22a, NAS).

The NLT
paraphrases it this way

"the Scriptures have declared that we
are all prisoners of sin".

Jesus came to set
men free from slavery to SIN, at the inauguration of His ministry
quoting from Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent
Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to
the blind, to set free those who are downtrodden." (Lk 4:18)

Where is the
freedom from slavery to SIN revealed? In the Gospel for through
the Gospel Jesus

delivered us from the domain of
darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." (Colossians
1:13-note)

Even in the Old
Testament, Isaiah had prophesied that Jesus would come

to open blind eyes, to bring out
prisoners from the dungeon, and those who dwell in darkness from the
prison. (Isa 42:6)

In
Romans 6 Paul
elaborates on the great truth that when we are taken from our state of
slavery to Sin(personified as
a master) "in Adam" and placed "in Christ", the power of Sinin our life is
irrevocably broken. Yes, we all continue to commit sins but for the
first time we have the power within us to say "No" to the reign of
Sin.

Paul writes that
when

"our old self (i.e., who we were were
in Adam = spiritually dead) was crucified with (Christ), our body of
Sin(became
ineffective, inoperative, inactive, powerless and) that we should no
longer be slaves to SIN (i.e., to the power which Sinexerted over us
to control us and force us to commit sins) for he who has died is freed
from (the control of) SIN." (Romans
6:6,
7-
note)

Sinformerly had
dominion over us, but now believers can consider themselves truly

Paul goes on to
teach that because of our death ("co-crucifixion" with Christ) to Sin,
now we are not to permit

Sin(to) reign in
your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on
presenting the members of your body to Sinas instruments
of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from
the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For
Sinshall not be
master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans
6:12; 13; 14-note)

Own appetites - This phrase is indicative of
any base interest, and not necessarily gross, sensual indulgence, as in (Philippians
3:18-note
Php 3:19-note;
Php 3:20-note), though this
is possibly intended.

MacArthur adds:

No matter how seemingly sincere and caring false teachers or preachers may
appear to be, they are never genuinely concerned for the cause of Christ or
for His church. They are driven by self-interest and
self-gratification—sometimes for fame, sometimes for power over their
followers, always for financial gain, and frequently for all of those
reasons. Many of them enjoy pretentious and luxurious lifestyles, and sexual
immorality is the rule more than the exception. Many false teachers devote
their lives to the study of Scripture, but because they have never trusted
in Christ for salvation and because they view the Bible as man’s ideas about
God rather than God’s revelation to man, they distort His Word and twist it
to fit their own sinful predispositions. Because they have been in such
close contact with God’s truth, “it would be better for them not to have
known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the
holy commandment delivered to them” (2Pe 2:21-note). Such
scholars are “always learning and [are] never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth. And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men
also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith”
(2Ti 3:7, 8-note).
They reject the truth that Peter declares so clearly in his second letter (2Pe
1:20; 21-note; cf.
2Pe 2:1; 2; 3-note; 2Pe 2:10-note;2Pe 2:11;12, 2Pe 2:13-note;2Pe 2:13; 2Pe 2:14-note; 2Pe 2:15,
16-note; 2Pe 2:17-note; 2Pe 2:18-note;2Pe 2:19-note)" (MacArthur,
J: Romans 9-16. Chicago: Moody PressorLogos)

William Newell comments...

What an unutterably fearful spiritual state!—to be amongst those
filled with holy love toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and toward one another
as fellow members of His Body, and yet be bent on altogether selfish
business! Concerning many professors of Christianity John Bunyan
said, "A man will go far for his own belly’s sake. (Cf Php 3:18;
3:19; 3:20 notesPhp 3:18; 19; 20).. .Just as in Eden God did not
prevent the serpent from tempting Eve, —"beguiling her in his craftiness";
so God does not forcibly prevent false teachers, division-makers, evil
workers, stumbling producers, from coming among His saints. But He warns His
saints, and expects them to exercise both their discernment and their holy
hatred of evil in turning away from such. Also, they "have an Anointing from
the Holy One, "(1 John 2:20) — these
saints of God; and this Anointing "teacheth them concerning all things." The
saints do not have to depend on their own understanding, but to consult
constantly God’s Word, and trust the indwelling Spirit. God warns concerning
these evil workers that by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the
hearts of the innocent. Beautiful testimony of an all-seeing God to the
blessed "innocence" of His own children toward the subtle wickedness of evil
doers! (Romans 16)

The second reason false teachers
should be rejected is because the results of their teaching are always
destructive. Those who cause such dissensions and scandals in the church
often appear to be pious and talented devotees of Jesus Christ, while in
reality they are self-centered and ambitious seekers of personal prestige or
power.

Paul says mark them,
and avoid them.

Their speech disguises itself as
loving and beneficent, while denying the central truths of the gospel. In
the name of strengthening and unifying Christ’s church, they undermine its
very foundation. In the name of bringing men closer to God, they drive them
further from Him. An excellent description of these men is found in (2Cor
11:13, 14, 15).

In a bad
sense (as in the present context) it can mean language artfully adapted to captivate the hearer. The idea is that of
flattery or excessivepraise where the recipient is
portrayed too favorably by the these men's words.

Deceive (1818)
(exapatao
from ek =
intensifies meaning of root + apatáo
= seduce,
deceive - see study of related word apate) means to beguile thoroughly, deceive
completely or seduce (persuade to disobedience, lead astray by persuasion or
false promises) wholly. The result is to
lead astray. To cause a subject to believe or accept false ideas about
something with the implication of that one is led out of the right way into
error and especially to sin (see 1Cor 11:3, 1Ti 2:14 below).

Richards writes that...

Apatao and its derivatives
indicate ethical enticement...Deception sometimes comes from within, as our
desires impel us to deceive. But more often in the NT, deceit is error urged
by external evil powers or by those locked into the world's way of thinking.
(Richards,
L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)

As noted above the preposition ek strengthens the meaning of the verb
apatao, conveying the idea that the one being deceived is deceived
completely and utterly (see 1 Timothy 2:14 below where apatao refers
to Adam and exapatao refers to Eve!)

Thepresent tense indicates this is their lifestyle.
The active voiceindicates that they are not the
recipients (as would be indicated by the passive voice
= subject receives action or effect from outside source) but the willful
dispensers of the deception.

it is not merely making a false impression, but practically, leading
astray.

Webster's says that to
beguile means to lead astray by underhandedness and stresses the use
of charm and persuasion in deceiving. Thus it is deceiving by wiles (tricks
or stratagems intended to ensnare or deceive = attempts to entrap or deceive
with false allurements).

A T Robertson
says that this deceiver...

includes “tricks” of any kind. It is
amazing how gullible some of the saints are when a new deceiver pulls off
some stunts in religion.

Here are all the Scriptural uses of
exapatao (One in the Septuagint - LXXand 6 in the NT)...

Exodus 8:29 Then Moses said,
"Behold, I am going out from you, and I shall make supplication to the
LORD that the swarms of insects may depart from Pharaoh, from his
servants, and from his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh deal
deceitfully (Hebrew = talal = to mock, deceive, trifle with; Lxx =
exapatao) again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."

Romans 7:11 (see note)
for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment,
deceived me, and
through it killed me. (Compare the use of apatao and exapatao in 1 Timothy
below. Adam was not deceived but the woman was utterly deceived by Satan,
which is the same effect Paul attributes in Romans 7:11 to the effect of sin! As an aside, this truth means we
must be especially alert to the ability of sinto utterly deceive
us! Don't toy with sin!)

Romans 16:18 (note)
For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own
appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive
the hearts of the unsuspecting.

1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man
among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that
he may become wise. (Comment: Note that we are actually capable of
thoroughly beguiling or deceiving ourselves. Beware lest you fall into the
trap of utter self-deception.)

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived
Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray (phtheiro =
corrupted, destroyed, spoiled) from the simplicity
and purity of devotion to Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it
(the Day of the Lord) will
not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness
(anti-christ) is
revealed, the son of (utter) destruction (ruin),

1 Timothy 2:14 And it was not Adam who was deceived (apatao -
passive = action exerted on subject from outside source), but the woman
beingquite deceived (exapatao), fell into transgression.

THE HEARTS OF THE UNSUSPECTING:
tas
kardias ton akakon:

He who adopts an attitude of
never expecting (or suspecting) evil is liable to be (continually) deceived.
To those who are not instructed in the ways of God as revealed in Scripture,
the smooth and fair speech of those who propagate false teaching is
especially dangerous. Safety lies in a knowledge of, and adherence to, the
Word of God.

Heart (2588)(kardia) does not refer to the physical
organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and
center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it
controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the
slightest value unless the heart turns to God.

While kardia
does represent the inner person, the seat of motives and attitudes, the
center of personality, in Scripture it represents much more than
emotion, feelings. It also includes the thinking process and
particularly the will. For example, in Proverbs we are told, “﻿As (a
man) thinks in his heart, so is he﻿” (﻿Proverbs 23:7KJV﻿). Jesus asked a
group of scribes, “﻿Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?﻿”
(﻿Matthew 9:4﻿). The heart is the control center of mind and will as
well as emotion.

The Scottish
writer John Eadie says that...

The “heart” belongs to the “inner
man,” is the organ of perception as well as of emotion; the centre of
spiritual as it is physically of animal life.

"While we often relate heart
to the emotions (e.g., “He has a broken heart”), the Bible relates it
primarily to the intellect (e.g., “Out of the heart come evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
slanders,” Mt 15:19). That’s why you must “watch over your heart with
all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23-notes).
In a secondary way, however, heart relates to the will and
emotions because they are influenced by the intellect. If you are
committed to something, it will affect your will, which in turn will
affect your emotions." (Drawing Near. Crossway Books) MacArthur adds
that "In most modern cultures, the heart is thought of as the
seat of emotions and feelings. But most ancients—Hebrews, Greeks, and
many others—considered the heart to be the center of knowledge,
understanding, thinking, and wisdom. The New Testament also uses it in
that way. The heart was considered to be the seat of the mind and
will, and it could be taught what the brain could never know. Emotions
and feelings were associated with the intestines, or bowels." (MacArthur,
J: Ephesians. 1986. Chicago: Moody Press)

Unsuspecting (172)
(akakos from a = without + kakos
=
constitutionally bad, morally evil -- see study of related word
kakia) literally refers to who are not
constitutionally bad. One needs to examine the context of the usage to
determine whether this trait is good or bad, as explained below.

Akakos can be used in a
positive sense as in the passage in Hebrews which describes our Lord
Jesus as an innocent (guileless, free from guilt, without guile or fraud)
High Priest. Philo uses akakos for newborn infants. Several uses in
the LXX use akakos in a positive sense to describe a person of
integrity and/or innocence. While a
certain kind of simple innocence is good (see noteRomans 16:19),
that of which Paul speaks here is not good. In Christian infancy
"innocence" may be excusable, but we are supposed to outgrow it as we mature in
Christ (He 5:11; 5:12; 5:13; 5:14-see notesHe 5:11;
12;
13;
14). They
would include those who
are especially vulnerable to being taken in by fancy talk and flattery. They
are unsuspecting, unwary, naïve.

Thayer characterizes them as

fearing no evil from others, distrusting
no one,

Godet says they are

innocent of evil and easily duped.

Murray says these men and women
(in Romans 16:18) are

"not given to the wiles of deceit” and
thus are “not suspecting the same in others”.

Bengel feels that akakos
is...

An indifferent word. They are called so
who are merely without positive wickedness, when they ought to abound also
in prudence, and to guard against other men’s wickedness.

To be called simple-minded or naive in
the sense of being easy prey for false teachers is by no means a compliment.
The LXX
use of akakos in Proverbs 14:15shows why this trait can leave one
vulnerable to these silver tongued snakes...

Akakos is used two times in the NT
and 17 times in the Septuagint - LXX
(Job 2:3; 8:20; 36:5; Ps. 25:21; Pr 1:4, 22; 2:21; 8:5; 13:6; 14:15; 15:10;
21:11; Jer. 11:19). Below are the NT uses and several representative uses in
the LXX...

Romans 16:18
For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites;
and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the
unsuspecting.

Hebrews 7:26 (note) For
it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent,
undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

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